Vacuum cleaner suction tool for cleaning deep pile shag rugs

ABSTRACT

In accordance with this invention there is provided a suction tool having a plurality of elongated tube-like nozzles rigidly connected together and pivotally mounted on a hollow body member having means such as a pair of wheels, movably supporting it on a surface to be cleaned. The tube-like nozzles are of a length such that they extend beyond the periphery of the supporting wheels and are of a relatively small diameter so as to be able to penetrate the deep pile of a shag rug. A flexible diaphragm seals the upper ends of the tube-like nozzles to the open lower face of the hollow body member while permitting the nozzles to pivot relatively thereto. Communicating with the interior of the hollow body member is an elbow or other suitable means to which may be connected a hollow wand constituting both a manipulating handle for the suction tool and a conduit for connecting to tool to a source of suction.

United States Patent 1 Anderson et a1.

[ Oct. 16, 1973 n a V [73] Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn. V

[22] Filed: Feb. 29, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 230,222

Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Chris K. Moore Attorney-William S. Henry [5 7] ABSTRACT In accordance with this invention there is provided a suction tool having a plurality of elongated tube-like nozzles rigidly connected together and pivotally mounted on a hollow body member having 'means such as a pair of wheels, movably supporting it on a surface to be cleaned. The tube-like nozzles are of a length such that they extend beyond the periphery of the supporting wheels and are of a relatively small diameter so as to be able to penetrate the deep pile of a shag rug. A flexible diaphragm seals the upper ends of the tube-like nozzles to the open lower face of the hollow body member while permitting the nozzles to pivot relatively thereto. Communicating with the interior of the hollow body member is an elbow or other suitable means to which may be connected a hollow wand constituting both a manipulating handle for the suction tool and a conduit for connecting to tool to a source of suction.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl. 15/369, 15/397 [51] Int. Cl A471 9/06 [58] Field of Search 15/368, 369, 371, 15/379, 380, 381,382, 397, 396, 402

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,527 3/1952 Pluck 15/397 X 3,689,956 9/1972 Melreit 15/397 2,825,925 3/1958 Acheson 15/379 X 2,338,339 1/1944 LaMere et a1. 15/397 X Patented ot.1s,1973 3,765.052

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 16, 1973 3,765,052

2 Shets-Sheet 2 VACUUM CLEANER SUCTION TOOL FOR CLEANING DEEP PILE SI-IAG RUGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to clean a shag rug having fibers up to several inches in length, it is necessary that the suction nozzle penetrate a substantial distance between the fibers so as to apply suction deep down in the rug where the dirt accumulates. The usual horizontally elongated suction nozzle not only is unable to penetrate sufficiently, but in addition it is very difficult to move such a nozzle back and forth on a rug of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The elongated tube-like nozzles of the suction tool in accordance with this invention, extending beyond the periphery of the supporting wheels, are able to penetrate the fibers to remove deeply embedded dirt. Because of their pivotal mounting the nozzles assume a trailing position regardless of the direction of movement of the cleaning tool. Thus the tool may be moved with a minimum of effort, the wheels supporting the weight of the tool and rolling over the surface and the relatively small diameter nozzles moving between the fibers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a suction tool in accor dance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 3, but with certain parts in different positions.

Referring to the drawings, reference character designates an elongated hollow body to the opposite ends of which wheels 12 are rotatably mounted on shafts 14. Preferably rotatably secured to the body-10 is an elbow 16 which communicates with the interior of the body and to which may be connected a hollow wand serving as both a manipulating handle for the tool and a conduit for connecting the tool to a source of suction.

Below the body 10 a plate member 18 is pivotally mounted by means of shafts 20 and, as seen in FIG. 2, the axis of shafts 20 is somewhat below the axis of shafts 14 which carry wheels 12. Secured to or integral with plate 18 isa plurality of tube-like nozzles 22 of relatively small diameter and having alength such that they extend beyond the peripheries of wheels 12. A

flexible air-tight diaphragm 24 of rubber of the like is secured to body member 10 so as to close the open lower face thereof. The central part of diaphragm 24 is secured to plate member 18 by means of a clamping plate 26, the diaphragm and plate 26 being formed with apertures in line with the bores of nozzles 22.

In operation, when the suction tool is placed on a deep pile shag rug the nozzles 22 penetrate the pile and if the tool is moved forwardly as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the nozzles tend to trail and assume the position here shown. In this position they offer a minimum resistance to movement through the pile, the weight of the tool being supported by the wheels 12 which also sink into the pile. At the end of the forward stroke, when the direction of movement of the tool is reversed, the nozzles assume the trailing position shown in FIG. 5.

Due to the fact the the nozzles 22 extend down into the pile, the air flow into their lower ends occurs where the embedded dirt is located and hence entrains and removes such dirt. The mechanical agitation caused by moving the nozzles through the pile helps to loosen the dirt so that it may be picked up more readily by the air stream. The combing action of the nozzles 22 tendsto untangle the fibers of the rug and give the latter a pleasing appearance. 1

We claim:

1. In a suction tool for cleaning deep pile shag rugs, a hollow body member open at the bottom, means for movably supporting said body member at a fixed distance above a surface to be cleaned, a flexible diaphragm closing the open bottom of said body, a plurality of tube-like nozzles depending from said diaphragm and communicating with the space between said diaphragm and said open bottom, said nozzles extending below said body a distance greater than said fixed distance, and means for connecting the interior of said hollow body with a source of suction.

2. A suction tool as defined in claim 1 characterized by a stiff plate member secured to said diaphragm, said tube-like nozzles being rigidly fixed to said plate memher.

3. A suction tool as defined in claim 2 characterized by means for pivoting said plate member on said body member. 1

4. A suction tool as defined in claim 3 wherein the supporting means comprise wheels rotatably mounted on said body member about an axis which is above the axis about whichsaid plate is pivotally mounted. 

1. In a suction tool for cleaning deep pile shag rugs, a hollow body member open at the bottom, means for movably supporting said body member at a fixed distance above a surface to be cleaned, a flexible diaphragm closing the open bottom of said body, a plurality of tube-like nozzles depending from said diaphragm and communicating with the space between said diaphragm and said open bottom, said nozzles extending below said body a distance greater than said fixed distance, and means for connecting the interior of said hollow body with a source of suction.
 2. A suction tool as defined in claim 1 characterized by a stiff plate member secured to said diaphragm, said tube-like nozzles being rigidly fixed to said plate member.
 3. A suction tool as defined in claim 2 characterized by means for pivoting said plate member on said body member.
 4. A suction tool as defined in claim 3 wherein the supporting means comprise wheels rotatably mounted on said body member about an axis which is above the axis about which said plate is pivotally mounted. 